Swim Team Improves Overnight At UNCA

ASHEVILLE - After celebrating Senior Night on Friday, the
North Carolina A&T swimming team hit the lanes again on Saturday, competing
against UNC Asheville at the Justice Center Pool.

The Aggies put together a stronger performance than they did
on Friday, and lost a close one to the Bulldogs 105-90.

"It went much better," said A&T head coach Shawn
Hendrix. "Christian [Hill] swam very well.
She placed first in the 200 free and second in the 500 free. The 400 medley relay did great. It was a much better performance."

For the Aggies, Saturday's meet was an opportunity to build
upon their skills in being disciplined with keeping a high tempo pace under the
water. A&T head coach Shawn Hendrix
said that in Friday's match the team did well with their turns and underwater
kicks, but needed to improve their tempo in order to hit faster times and to
prepare them for the rigors of the CCSA Championships, which are less than a
month away.

Maintaining a consistent and speedy tempo was something they
accomplished on Saturday, and the finishes reflected the improvement.

The Aggies took first place in the 400-yard medley relay
with a 4:24.22 behind the team of Miranda Jacobs, Danielle Jackson, Lauren
Bowling and Niya Ross. The Aggies also
took first place in the 200 free with a 2:11.94 by junior Christian Hill. Ross captured first place in the 500 free
with a 5:55.50 finish.

Junior Sarah Simmons posted a career-best with a 1:52.96 in
the 100 fly, while junior Courtney Jefferson also posted a career-best with a
7:06.07 in the 500 free event.

The Aggies also had a number of second and third place
finishes on Saturday evening. Hill was
second in 500 free, clocking in at 5:58.16.
Freshman Kenya Dunn took second place in the 100 free with a 57.79. Freshman Victoria Orr swam the 100 backstroke
in a season-best 1:16.81. Jackson was
second in the 100 breaststroke with a 1:14.68.

Bowling was third in the 200 free with a 2:20.58, while freshman
Jacobs was third in the 50 free with a season-best 26.39. Ross finished the 400
IM in 5:34.11 for third place. Miles swam
a 1:30.07 in the 100 backstroke for third place.

The Aggies (2-22, 0-6 CCSA) will compete in their final meet
of the regular season on Feb. 2 at the Davidson Invitational. A&T will then have a two-week break until
competing in the CCSA Championships from Feb. 21-23 in Athens, Ga.